Volume 35 / No. 1 / 2016
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Heat Treating Corundum: the Bangkok Operation
HEAT TREATING CORUNDUM: THE BANGKOK OPERATION By Jack S. D. Abraham Following LIP on Nassau's 1981 article on Banglzolz gem dealer buys a lo+-ct ruby for a six- the technical aspects of heat treating ruby A figure sum and heats it hoping to improve its color and sapphire, the author reports his and value. After one heating, the stone dulls and cannot personal observations of the actual heat be sold for half of its original price. But a few tries later treatment process in Bangkok. He the stone is so improved that a major European dealer discusses the potential effects that this buys it for almost five times the original amount- process can have on a stone-both positive and negative-and emphasizes lznowing that it has been heat treated. the importance of the natural make-up of Another Thai dealer pays a large sum for a 600-ct piece the stone itself to the success of heot of sapphire rough. He then cuts it into four sections and treatment. heats each. For the largest piece, which is over 100 ctl he receives 20% more than he paid for the entire original stone-again from a buyer who knows the stone is heated. A third dealer, however, heats a sapphire for which he has paid a six-figure sum but instead of enhancing the color, the treatment causes the stone to brealz into several pieces. It is now worth a fraction of its original price. Such incidents suggest that the heating of ruby and sapphire has become a fully acceptedl if very rislzyl fact of life in the Far East. -
Pezzottaite from Ambatovita, Madagascar: a New Gem Mineral
PEZZOTTAITE FROM AMBATOVITA, MADAGASCAR: A NEW GEM MINERAL Brendan M. Laurs, William B. (Skip) Simmons, George R. Rossman, Elizabeth P. Quinn, Shane F. McClure, Adi Peretti, Thomas Armbruster, Frank C. Hawthorne, Alexander U. Falster, Detlef Günther, Mark A. Cooper, and Bernard Grobéty Pezzottaite, ideally Cs(Be2Li)Al2Si6O18, is a new gem mineral that is the Cs,Li–rich member of the beryl group. It was discovered in November 2002 in a granitic pegmatite near Ambatovita in cen- tral Madagascar. Only a few dozen kilograms of gem rough were mined, and the deposit appears nearly exhausted. The limited number of transparent faceted stones and cat’s-eye cabochons that have been cut usually show a deep purplish pink color. Pezzottaite is distinguished from beryl by its higher refractive indices (typically no=1.615–1.619 and ne=1.607–1.610) and specific gravity values (typically 3.09–3.11). In addition, the new mineral’s infrared and Raman spectra, as well as its X-ray diffraction pattern, are distinctive, while the visible spectrum recorded with the spec- trophotometer is similar to that of morganite. The color is probably caused by radiation-induced color centers involving Mn3+. eginning with the 2003 Tucson gem shows, (Be3Sc2Si6O18; Armbruster et al., 1995), and stoppaniite cesium-rich “beryl” from Ambatovita, (Be3Fe2Si6O18; Ferraris et al., 1998; Della Ventura et Madagascar, created excitement among gem al., 2000). Pezzottaite, which is rhombohedral, is Bcollectors and connoisseurs due to its deep purplish not a Cs-rich beryl but rather a new mineral species pink color (figure 1) and the attractive chatoyancy that is closely related to beryl. -
Rhodochrosite Gems Unstable Colouration of Padparadscha-Like
Volume 36 / No. 4 / 2018 Effect of Blue Fluorescence on the Colour Appearance of Diamonds Rhodochrosite Gems The Hope Diamond Unstable Colouration of in London Padparadscha-like Sapphires Volume 36 / No. 4 / 2018 Cover photo: Rhodochrosite is prized as both mineral specimens and faceted stones, which are represented here by ‘The Snail’ (5.5 × 8.6 cm, COLUMNS from N’Chwaning, South Africa) and a 40.14 ct square-cut gemstone from the Sweet Home mine, Colorado, USA. For more on rhodochrosite, see What’s New 275 the article on pp. 332–345 of this issue. Specimens courtesy of Bill Larson J-Smart | SciAps Handheld (Pala International/The Collector, Fallbrook, California, USA); photo by LIBS Unit | SYNTHdetect XL | Ben DeCamp. Bursztynisko, The Amber Magazine | CIBJO 2018 Special Reports | De Beers Diamond ARTICLES Insight Report 2018 | Diamonds — Source to Use 2018 The Effect of Blue Fluorescence on the Colour 298 Proceedings | Gem Testing Appearance of Round-Brilliant-Cut Diamonds Laboratory (Jaipur, India) By Marleen Bouman, Ans Anthonis, John Chapman, Newsletter | IMA List of Gem Stefan Smans and Katrien De Corte Materials Updated | Journal of Jewellery Research | ‘The Curse Out of the Blue: The Hope Diamond in London 316 of the Hope Diamond’ Podcast | By Jack M. Ogden New Diamond Museum in Antwerp Rhodochrosite Gems: Properties and Provenance 332 278 By J. C. (Hanco) Zwaan, Regina Mertz-Kraus, Nathan D. Renfro, Shane F. McClure and Brendan M. Laurs Unstable Colouration of Padparadscha-like Sapphires 346 By Michael S. Krzemnicki, Alexander Klumb and Judith Braun 323 333 © DIVA, Antwerp Home of Diamonds Gem Notes 280 W. -
Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Nephrite Jade from Yinggelike Deposit, Altyn Tagh (Xinjiang, NW China)
minerals Article Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Nephrite Jade from Yinggelike Deposit, Altyn Tagh (Xinjiang, NW China) Ying Jiang 1, Guanghai Shi 1,* , Liguo Xu 2 and Xinling Li 3 1 State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China; [email protected] 2 Geological Museum of China, Beijing 100034, China; [email protected] 3 Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Institute, Xinjiang 830004, China; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +86-010-8232-1836 Received: 6 April 2020; Accepted: 6 May 2020; Published: 8 May 2020 Abstract: The historic Yinggelike nephrite jade deposit in the Altyn Tagh Mountains (Xinjiang, NW China) is renowned for its gem-quality nephrite with its characteristic light-yellow to greenish-yellow hue. Despite the extraordinary gemological quality and commercial significance of the Yinggelike nephrite, little work has been done on this nephrite deposit, due to its geographic remoteness and inaccessibility. This contribution presents the first systematic mineralogical and geochemical studies on the Yinggelike nephrite deposit. Electron probe microanalysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry were used to measure the mineralogy, bulk-rock chemistry and stable (O and H) isotopes characteristics of samples from Yinggelike. Field investigation shows that the Yinggelike nephrite orebody occurs in the dolomitic marble near the intruding granitoids. Petrographic studies and EMPA data indicate that the nephrite is mainly composed of fine-grained tremolite, with accessory pargasite, diopside, epidote, allanite, prehnite, andesine, titanite, zircon, and calcite. Geochemical studies show that all nephrite samples have low bulk-rock Fe/(Fe + Mg) values (0.02–0.05), as well as low Cr (0.81–34.68 ppm), Co (1.10–2.91 ppm), and Ni (0.52–20.15 ppm) contents. -
SGG Corundum Treatment.Pptx
The beauty of colour © Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF SGG Zentralkurs, Thun, 15. April 2013 Treatment of corundum characteristics, detection and declaration Michael S. Krzemnicki Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF Switzerland Photos and figures © H.A. Hänni & M.S. Krzemnicki 1! Consumer+expectation+ Quality& Every&gemstone&deposit&produces&stones&of&high&and&low&quality.& Usually&the&quality&distribution&has&the&shape&of&a&pyramid.&& Top&stones&are&rare,&stones&of&lower&quality&are&very&abundant.& The&exploitation&of&gems&is&expensive,®ardless&of&their&quality.& It&is&economically&and&important&to&be&able&to&enhance&stones&of&& the&lower&part&of&the&quality&pyramid&(also&for&the&miners!)& Once&a&treatment&is&developed&and&successfull,&it&often&is&also&applied&& on&stones&of&better&quality&to&make&them&even&better&looking.& Gem$deposit+production+ Quantity& © SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute Treatment options for corundum... To&modify&transparency:&& &F&Gilling&of&Gissures&with&colourless&substance&&(oil,&artiGicial&resin,&glass)& &F&heating&to&dissolve&inclusions& & To&modify&colour& &F&Gilling&of&Gissures&with&coloured&substance&(oil,&artiGicial&resin,&glass)& &F&heating&in&oxidising&or&reducing&conditions&(±&with&additives)& &F&diffusion&of&„colouring“&elements&into&the&corundum&lattice& &F&irradiation& & To&enhance&stability& &F&Gilling&of&Gissures/cavities&with&solidifyig&substances&& & To&create&optical&effects&& &F&heating&with&additives& & © SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute! 2! Treatment options for corundum... Fissure&Gilling&and&dyeing& & Foiling,&Painting& Heating&with&blowFpipe& ©&F.&Notari& Heating&with&electrical&furnace& ©&H.A.&Hänni& Irradiation& Heating&combined&with&surface&diffusion& Heating&with&borax&to&induce&Gissure&„healing“& Beryllium&diffusion& LeadFglass&Gissure&Gilling& & CobaltFglass&Gissure&Gilling& & next&treatment&??& & future& 0& 1000& 1900& 2000& Time+scale+ & © SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute! Treatment options for corundum.. -
Fall 2015 Gems & Gemology
FALL 2015 VOLUME LI THE UARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA Colombian Trapiche Emeralds Large Colorless HPHT-Grown Synthetic Diamonds Diamonds from the Letšeng Mine Fall 2015 VOLUME 51, No. 3 EDITORIAL 221 Trapiche and More... Duncan Pay FEATURE ARTICLES 222 Colombian Trapiche Emeralds: Recent Advances in Understanding Their Formation Isabella Pignatelli, Gaston Giuliani, Daniel Ohnenstetter, Giovanna Agrosì, pg. 254 Sandrine Mathieu, Christophe Morlot, and Yannick Branquet Proposes a model for trapiche emerald formation based on petrographic, spectroscopic, and chemical examination. 260 Large Colorless HPHT-Grown Synthetic Gem Diamonds from New Diamond Technology, Russia Ulrika F.S. D’Haenens-Johansson, Andrey Katrusha, Kyaw Soe Moe, Paul Johnson, and Wuyi Wang pg. 270 Examines a new source of colorless and near-colorless gem-quality HPHT synthetic diamonds using spectroscopic and gemological analysis. 280 Letšeng’s Unique Diamond Proposition Russell Shor, Robert Weldon, A.J.A. (Bram) Janse, Christopher M. Breeding, and Steven B. Shirey Explores the history, geology, and current production of this unique source of large diamonds. NOTES AND NEW TECHNIQUES 300 Origin Determination of Dolomite-Related White Nephrite through Iterative-Binary Linear Discriminant Analysis Zemin Luo, Mingxing Yang, and Andy H Shen A technique for origin identification based on statistical analysis and LA-ICP-MS spectrometry. pg. 293 REGULAR FEATURES 312 Lab Notes Unusual graining structure in pink diamond • Yellow HPHT-treated rough diamond -
Phenomenal Gemstones Possess Striking Optical Effects, Making Them Truly a Sight for Sore Eyes
THE PHENOMENAL PROPERTIES OF GEMS Phenomenal gemstones possess striking optical effects, making them truly a sight for sore eyes. Here is GIA’s guide to understanding what makes each phenomenon so uniquely brilliant. ASTERISM CROSSING BANDS OF REFLECTED LIGHT CREATE A SIX-RAYED STAR-LIKE APPEARANCE. ASTERISM OCCURS IN THE DOME OF A CABOCHON, AND CAN BE SEEN IN GEMS LIKE RUBIES AND SAPPHIRES. ADULARESCENCE THE SAME SCATTERING OF LIGHT THAT MAKES THE SKY BLUE CREATES A MILKY, BLUISH-WHITE GLOW, LIKE MOONLIGHT SHINING THROUGH A VEIL OF CLOUDS. MOONSTONE IS THE ONLY GEM THAT DISPLAYS IT. AVENTURESCENCE FOUND IN NATURAL GEMS LIKE SUNSTONE FELDSPAR AND AVENTURINE QUARTZ, IT DISPLAYS A GLITTERY EFFECT CAUSED BY LIGHT REFLECTING FROM SMALL, FLAT INCLUSIONS. CHATOYANCY OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “CAT’S EYE” EFFECT, BANDS OF LIGHT ARE CAUSED BY THE REFLECTION OF LIGHT FROM MANY PARALLEL, NEEDLE-LIKE INCLUSIONS INSIDE A CABOCHON. NOTABLE GEMS THAT DISPLAY CHATOYANCY INCLUDE CAT’S EYE TOURMALINE AND CAT’S EYE CHRYSOBERYL. IRIDESCENCE ALSO SEEN IN SOAP BUBBLES AND OIL SLICKS, IT’S A RAINBOW EFFECT THAT IS CREATED WHEN LIGHT IS BROKEN UP INTO DIFFERENT COLORS. LOOK FOR IT IN FIRE AGATE AND OPAL AMMONITE (KNOWN BY THE TRADE AS AMMOLITE). LABR ADORESCENCE A BROAD FLASH OF COLOR THAT APPEARS IN LABRADORITE FELDSPAR, IT’S CAUSED BY LIGHT INTERACTING WITH THIN LAYERS IN THE STONE, AND DISAPPEARS WHEN THE GEM IS MOVED. INSIDER’S TIP: THE MOST COMMON PHENOMENAL COLOR IN LABRADORITE IS BLUE. PLAY OF COLOR THE FLASHING RAINBOW-LIKE COLORS IN OPAL THAT FLASH AT YOU AS YOU TURN THE STONE OR MOVE AROUND IT. -
Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana
Report of Investigation 23 Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana Richard B. Berg 2015 Cover photo by Richard Berg. Sapphires (very pale green and colorless) concentrated by panning. The small red grains are garnets, commonly found with sapphires in western Montana, and the black sand is mainly magnetite. Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences, RI 23 Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana Richard B. Berg Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology MBMG Report of Investigation 23 2015 i Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences, RI 23 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................................................1 Descriptions of Occurrences ..................................................................................................7 Selected Bibliography of Articles on Montana Sapphires ................................................... 75 General Montana ............................................................................................................75 Yogo ................................................................................................................................ 75 Southwestern Montana Alluvial Deposits........................................................................ 76 Specifi cally Rock Creek sapphire district ........................................................................ 76 Specifi cally Dry Cottonwood Creek deposit and the Butte area .................................... -
Gemstones in Metal Clay
Gemstones in Metal Clay Many natural gemstones can be set into metal clay and fired in place. Other gemstones will not survive the heat of a kiln and should be set after firing. These charts show the results of kiln and torch tests that have been performed on both natural and synthetic gemstones, adapted with permission from the original testing by Kevin Whitmore of Rio Grande. This information is for reference and should be used as a guide. There is always some risk of losing a natural gemstone even if others of it’s kind have survived in the past. Gemstones may have internal flaws that can be liquid or gaseous filled, or contain crystals of other materials that can cause the gemstone to fail where it usually does not. This guide aims to help metal clay artists sort out gemstones that are known to survive under fire from those that are not. Gemstones are minerals that are classified into groups based upon the constancy of their major properties. Each mineral family has one or more varieties contained within the group. When we sort the tested gemstones according to their mineral group, it becomes clear that an easy way to gauge the survivability of a gemstone is to look at the results of other varieties within that same group. Aquamarine and emerald, for example, are both varieties of the beryl group of minerals. The result of tests done on aquamarine and emerald indicate that minerals in the beryl group will not survive kiln heating. There are exceptions, as there always are in the natural world, but in general this method can be reliable for many varieties. -
C.A.R. Presskit
C.A.R. Presskit We could go the long way around and talk about German post- war music history such as “Krautrock” , “Kosmische” and “Jazz- Rock” and what these terms mean to us. But we could also just say: “Hello, we are C.A.R. from Cologne and we play music as we like it: A little bit acoustic, a little bit electronic; on a trip, but without a specific destination; intense but not brutal; spherical, but not arbitrary; excessive, yet precise. Does this help you? No? Then stay a while and listen!” http://thisiscar.de https://www.facebook.com/thisiscar/ https://thisiscar.bandcamp.com/releases Contact Kenn Hartwig +49 176 23567404 [email protected] C.A.R. @ G5A, Mumbai, 2017 This is C.A.R. C.A.R. was founded in 2011 by Johannes Klingebiel and Kenn Hartwig in Cologne, Germany. After an early period of artistic orientation they released “Beyond The Zero” (2014), the “Interlude EP” (2017), “Look Behind You” (2018) and „Befunde ab 1999“ (2020). Originally playing experimental jazz, the media recently labeled their music as Krautrock, Kosmische, Electronica and experimental Pop. Among the highlights of the band´s career were gigs and residencies such as Fusion Festival, Jazzfest Kolkata and Casa Banchel in Madrid. By invitation of the Goethe Institute C.A.R. went on a four week long tour playing concerts in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India in 2017. In November 2018 they went to China to play four concerts, taking part in the Jazz Improvise Meeting Festival. In 2019, C.A.R. curated and hosted the concert series “C.A.R. -
Brief Description of the Northern Areas
he designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do T not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN. Published by: IUCN Pakistan. Copyright: ©2003 Government of Pakistan, Northern Areas Administration and IUCN–The World Conservation Union. Reproduction of this publication for educational and other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior permission from the copyright holders, providing the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of the publication for resale or for other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission from the copyright holders. Citation: Government of Pakistan and IUCN, 2003. Northern Areas State of Environment and Development. IUCN Pakistan, Karachi. xlvii+301 pp. Compiled by: Scott Perkin Resource person: Hamid Sarfraz ISBN: 969-8141-60-X Cover & layout design: Creative Unit (Pvt.) Ltd. Cover photographs: Gilgit Colour Lab, Hamid Sarfraz, Khushal Habibi, Serendip and WWF-Pakistan. Printed by: Yaqeen Art Press Available from: IUCN–The World Conservation Union 1 Bath Island Road, Karachi Tel.: 92 21 - 5861540/41/42 Fax: 92 21 - 5861448, 5835760 Website: www.northernareas.gov.pk/nassd N O RT H E R N A R E A S State of Environment & Development Co n t e n t s Acronyms and Abbreviations vi Glossary -
SOME UNUSUAL SILLIMANITE CAT's-EYES by E
NOTES AND NEW TECHNIQUES SOME UNUSUAL SILLIMANITE CAT'S-EYES By E. Giibelin, M, Weibel, and C. P. Woensdregt Brown-black sillimanite cat's-eyes from Sri Lanka thin-section study and the ion etching necessary present an unusually sharp band, which would make for subsequent electron diffraction. them extraordinary gems wereit not for therather un- This article summarizes the results of the elec- attractive body color of the stones. A study of six of tron microscope study of the inclusions causing these stones found that they contain 0.5 wt.% iron the chatoyancy, as well as the gemological charac- oxide. The principal inclusion mineral is ilmenite, teristics of this unusual material. which occurs in elongated, submicroscopically thin lamellae. Complex thicker lamellae consist of hercy- EXPERIMENTAL METHODS nite spinel grown together with a member of the pyroxene group. These thicker inclusions were not Chatoyancy, like asterism, is caused by the scat- foundin all of the specimens investigated. tering of light on numerous fibrous inclusions aligned in one or more directions in the host crys- tal; proper cutting en cabochon is required to re- veal the phenomenon. For good chatoyancy or asterism, the elongated inclusions must be thin sillimanite, also known as fibrolite, is a common compared to the wavelengths of light (Weibel, metamorphic mineral. Cuttable material is ex- 1985). Such minute crystal individuals are not ac- tremely rare but is found in the Mogok Stone Tract cessible to ordinary microscopy and X-ray analy- of Burma and in the Sri Lankan gem gravels, as sis. Even though the inclusions may show up in a transparent rounded crystals with a blue, violet- thin section viewed with a polarizing microscope, blue, or grayish green hue (Webster, 1983).